Niger Celebrates Historic FIFA Arena Project Launch
The West African nation of Niger marked a historic moment for its football development as global governing body FIFA inaugurated two new mini-pitches in the capital city of Niamey.
Grassroots Football Boost
The ultramodern facilities, located at CES 22 Talladje and CES 9 Harobanda primary schools, make Niger one of only 11 Member Associations worldwide selected for the inaugural phase of the FIFA Arenas project. This initiative forms a key component of the FIFA Forward development program.
These sustainable pitches will provide approximately 10,000 young students with safe, inspiring spaces to develop their football skills, offering new opportunities for youth in surrounding communities.
Leadership Endorsement
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the project as a watershed moment for Nigerian football. “Congratulations to the Nigerien Football Federation (FENIFOOT). You are part of our Starting 11—the first 11 countries to officially inaugurate their own FIFA Arena mini-pitches,” Infantino stated. “You are contributing to a project capable of changing the lives of millions of children.”
FENIFOOT President Issaka Adamou echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the project opens a new chapter for grassroots football development. “When football becomes an educational tool, it’s a whole country preparing its youth’s future,” Adamou said. “Integrating football into schools to strengthen civic education, social inclusion, and youth development through sport allows Niger to take a major step forward with FIFA.”
Global Initiative
The FIFA Arena project represents a global commitment to build mini-pitches worldwide, aligning with promises made by President Infantino at the Sustainable Sport Summit in Paris last July. The program supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by increasing play opportunities for children, particularly in disadvantaged urban and rural areas.
Dubbed the “Starting Eleven” after the players beginning a match, the initiative has seen similar launches in Georgia, Thailand, and Paraguay. FIFA aims to install at least 1,000 new mini-pitches globally by 2031.
In Africa, Niger becomes the third beneficiary nation after Algeria and Liberia.
Broader Development
The FIFA Arena project operates under the larger FIFA Forward scheme, launched in 2016 to redistribute FIFA revenues equitably among its 211 member associations. As the world’s largest sports development program, it plans to invest a record $5 billion in football by 2026.
Meanwhile, construction of FENIFOOT’s new headquarters, also funded by FIFA Forward, continues steadily. The six-story facility, with a total cost of nearly $4.2 million, will provide professional infrastructure for football development and is expected to take 12 months to complete.
Gelson Fernandes, FIFA Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer and Regional Director for Africa, highlighted: “The FIFA Forward program is tangibly transforming football in all FIFA member countries. In Niger, the new FENIFOOT headquarters and mini pitches illustrate FIFA’s commitment to making football truly global, inclusive, and sustainable.”